On 1 July 1879, Bracken published his poem "National hymn" as a competition in his New Zealand Saturday Advertiser

Readers were invited to write a musical score for the five stanzas by 1 Sept - prize was 10 guineas

On 8 Sept, the Advertiser reported the 12 entries had been sent to its contact George Musgrave in Melbourne for judging

Musgrave organised 3 musicians (Alberto Zelmam, Julius Siede & Thomas Zeplin) who separately assessed the entries

On 21 Oct 1876, Musgrave announced the nom de plume 'Orpheus' was the unanimous winner with the best melody

The Advertiser revealed that 'Orpheus' was John Joseph Woods who was living in Lawrence in Central Otago

John Joseph Woods (1849-1934) was a musician in the Lawrence Orchestra & head teacher at St. Patrick's School

Shown (front row, third from left) as a violinist - one of several instruments he played

Letter from Sir George Grey who was appreciative of receiving a copy of words & music (6 Sept 1878)

Grey had visited Lawrence, and 800 schoolchildren sang ‘God defend New Zealand’ at his welcome, which impressed him

Copyright held by Bracken who sent piece to Dunedin firm Messrs Begg & Co. who sent to Melbourne to publish in 1876

During 1877, Bracken handed the copyright to Woods who then sent it to London for publishing

With time delays & Melbourne only printing one verse and reprints not available, copyright reverted to Woods

Article mentions that the London publishers were Messrs Hopwood and Crew

Whereas Bracken called it a "hymn", Woods began calling it an "anthem", which was not officially sanctioned

Bracken included the poem 'National hymn' in his poetry book 'Flowers of the Freelands' (1877)

Bracken included the poem renamed 'New Zealand hymn' in his poetry book 'Musings in Maoriland' (1890)

The book was dedicated to Alfred Lord Tennyson “with the sincere admiration of the author.”

Students at Wood's St. Patrick's School sang the National Anthem & other songs on day of annual exams, 19 Dec 1876

Advert for Artillery Band performing the National Hymn at the Queen's Theatre on 25 Dec 1876

Anthem's first public vocal performance: Sung by the Lydia Howard Burlesque and Opera Burle Troupe

St Patrick's School Concert, 26 Dec 1876

Newspaper reported soloists were Mrs. Needham, Misses Teresa Clark, and M. E. Fahey, with Messrs. Miller and Woods.

After heariing the anthem at a civic ceremony in March 1878, Sir George Grey asked Thomas Henry Smith to translate it

This letter to Woods gives a progress report on the translation (23 Aug 1878)

Thomas Henry Smith was a retired Judge of the Native Land Court (1865-1876)

He acquired his knowledge of the Māori language when stationed at Maketu with the Native Protectorate Dept (c.1845-46)

This version by Smith called 'Aotearoa' was received by Grey in Oct 1878

Editorial changes made by Charles Davis for Te Korimako

Newspaper editor Charles Davis made editorial changes before publishing in the Māori language newspaper

Edited version appeared in Te Korimako on 16 May 1882 (see Papers Past)

However, the orginal version by Smith continued to be used by people

An edition of "The New Zealand National Anthem" was published by George Jeffery of Lawrence (1884)

Both the English and Māori versions were included

At Ashburton's Theatre Royal, the Raukawa Entertainers from Otaki sang the first verse of anthem in Māori (18 Aug 1915)

The singers were touring to support the Wounded Soldiers' Fund

Anthem sung at Boy Scouts’ Jamboree in England (1929) included a popular Māori musical feature

The 1939 article stated the Māori musical setting was by Mr. R. A. (“Bob”) Horne, a Christchurch musician

This is Seddon's letter to Woods, conveying Queen Victoria's thanks

During 1938, James McDermott (left) campaigned for 'God defend New Zealand' as a national song

McDermott was formerly Chief Engineer, Post and Telegraph Department (1935-39) and was an admirer of Bracken's work

In 1939, Joe Heenan (Centennial Council Secretary) wrote to McDermott advising of their support

Heenan was also Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs. Centennial celebrations were to mark signing of Treaty of Waitangi.

Correspondent complains Royal Auckland Choir sang 'God defends' as it is not yet an officlal anthem (June 1939)

The paper had reported the Choir sang the approved song for the Centennial celebrations in place of "God save the Queen'

On 1 May 1940, the Govt announced the purchase of the copyright & performing rights from Charles Begg and Co. Ltd

Intent was to remove any performance restrictions during the Centennial year & to popularise as the national song

Record of 'God Defend New Zealand' & 'Freedom's Army' to be distributed by National Patriotic Fund Board (April 1940)

Anthem arranged for male voice by Gladstone Hill & sung by Bohemian Male Voice Choir, with Miss Ena Rapley as soloist.

Public performance by Bohemian Male Voice Choir & soloist Miss Ena Ripley, 24 June 1940

Charles Begg Co. book of musical scores for the Army, Navy and Airforce, included 'God defend New Zealand' (c.1940)

During New Zealand's VE celebrations, 'God defend New Zealand' played (9 May 1945)

View on videoclip at 4 min.20sec

Audio of the Royal Marine Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy. (c.1950-59)

At Helsinki Olympics (1952), 'God defend' was played after 'God save' in honour of Yvette William's long jump gold medal

'God defend New Zealand' was first sung at the 1950 British Empire Games held in Auckland

The British Empire Games were the forerunner to the Commonwealth Games & national songs could be sung rather than anthem

After 1968 Summer Olympics, Jaycees asked 'God defend New Zealand' to be an official national anthem

At the Olympics, only the official national anthem could be played - ours was the same as Britain's (God save the Queen)

At the 1999 Rugby World Cup in England, Hinewehi Mohi sang ‘God defend New Zealand’ only in te reo Māori ('Aotearoa')

This sparked public debate about the anthem in general & familiiarity with the Māori version and words

At the 1976 Summer Olympics held at Montreal, 'God defend' was sung instead of 'God save' at the medal ceremonies

In 1976 a petition to elevate it to anthem status was presented to Parliament & granted in 1977

In 1976 Garth Henry Latta & others presented a petition with 7750 signatures to Parliament

The petition called for 'God defend New Zealand' to be made the national anthem

In May 1973, a remit for NZ "to be declared a republic, change the national flag, and the National anthem" was lost

Remit was presented at the 57th annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party by Norman Kirk

On 21 Nov 1977, with Queen's permission, National Government gazetted it as "of equal status" as 'God save the Queen'

'God save' would be used when Royal Family member or Governor-General present, or when loyalty to Crown to be emphasised

On 31 May 1979, Govt announced an alternative lower key (G major) by choirmaster Maxwell Fernie for massed singing

Woods' original score in the higher key of A-flat major (concert pitch) was better suited for solo and choral singing

From 1980s onwards, support grew for singing ‘God defend New Zealand’ in both Māori and English

Video of new arrangement called 'The New Zealand Expo Song' for World Expo 88, Brisbane

In 1987 Alan Slater was commissioned by Dpt Internal Affairs, & alternated verses sung in Māori & English

The Govt, the Māori Language Commission & sporting bodies supported Māori version in readiness for 2011 Rugby World Cup

The Māori Language Commission promoted the correct singing of the anthem with word sheets and publicity

Anthem sung in te reo Māori and English by Hayley Westenra before England vs All Blacks test at Twickenham in Nov 2006

The Tall Blacks to only sing the te reo Māori version due to time constraints (2018)

Listen to singing of Māori version & discussion of pronunciation on RNZ: Te reo 101 (15 Jan 2013)

Session starts 10 mins into the recording with Te Manu Korihi and host Eru Rerekura

US singer panned for her rendition before the Kiwis' game in Denver (2018)

Apologised as unable to hear musical accompaniment and later on nailed a te reo Māori version a capella on Radio Sport

Divergent opinion about te reo Māori version of the anthem (Jan 2019)

Bledisloe Cup 2020: National anthem sing-off between NZ & Australia

Bardot sang 'Advance Australia Fair’ & True Bliss sang Māori & English version of 'God defend New Zealand'

Te Ara article on 'What is a national anthem"

Te Ara articles on "God defend New Zealand" and "Nationhood and identity"

Letter to the Editor about the difficulties of having two national anthems (Nov 1930)

Letter to Editor about national anthem having a national dignity (6 Aug 1936)

A 1994 cartoon in response to people's complaints that the All Blacks appear not to be singing

The cartoon hints at some possible reasons

RNZ's Gael Woods on how anthems show off national pride at Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (2014)

Cartoonist Garrick Tremain shares his thoughts on the flag, the national anthem and the kiwi (2015)

Analysis of religious faith in 'God defend New Zealand' and other songs (2017)

Complaint Meridian Energy advert 'mutilated' anthem (2018)

Discussion on anthemic styles (2018)

Prof Anthony Ritchie (Otago Univ) arranged the 20 anthems for 2011 Rugby World Cup and discusses anthemic styles

Washing machine plays the NZ National Anthem (2019)

New Zealand Māori Rugby League team did not sing the anthem (Feb 2020)

This was in support of the Indigenous Australian players who did not wish to sing 'Advance Australia Fair'

An alternative suggestion for an anthem (31 March 1874)

Another suggestion for the anthem (1878)

Two attempts at refashioning the national anthem (1909)

Letter to the Editor about Mr Henry Hayward offering a prize of £50 for a NZ anthem (1916)

Writer points out one was written 40 years ago by Bracken

Another suggestion for a new anthem (1916)

MP for Clutha proposed the poem 'Zealandia!' by Mrs Elliott be adopted by the Govt (July 1917)

Aucklander John Robert Steed wrote alternative words to 'God defend New Zealand', and from 1996 promoted them widely

Cartoon by Alistair Nisbet with an anthem about Kiwis being high marijuana users (2012)

Cartoon by Garrick Tremain for an anthem on political and social issues in NZ and internationally (2016)

Cartoon by Laurence Clark which rewords the first verse (2016)

TV3's Newshub interviews Kiwis on how well they can sing the national anthem (June 2018)

The Spinoff's Friday poem (22 March 2019) was ‘National Anthem’ by Mohamed Hassan

Malcolm Mulholland's new book 'Weeping Waters' calls for NZ to adopt a new name, flag & anthem (2010)

RNZ interview with Grahame Sydney who calls for a change to national anthem (July 2015)

Sydney has "called it 'horrid' and 'wretched' and cringes every time he has to watch the All Blacks sing it"

RNZ panel explores whether the anthem makes you swell with pride or cringe at sexist language (Feb 2015)

Cartoon (2015) by David Fletcher

Politician: "We need a new national anthem! We should have a tune that stirs the soul!!!" - Abba's 'Money, money, money'

TV3's Newshub asks should NZ follow Canada and change wording to gender neutral (Feb 2018)

TV3's Newshub asks do we need a new national anthem (June 2018)

Jim Bolger and Winston Peters differ in their views

Writer: Thomas Bracken (1843-1898)

Photo signed by Thomas Bracken

Article about Bracken's death, family & career including MP for Dunedin from 1881-1884, & 1886-1887

Commemorative article about Bracken on the hundred years of his birth (21 Dec 1943)

This memorial to Thomas Bracken was erected by Rotary in the Northern Cemetery, Dunedin, in 1998

Composer: John Joseph Woods (1848-1934)

Biographical details on family, musical interests, & career as a teacher until 1877 & Tuapeka County Clerk for 55 years

Obituary mentions Woods died on Sat 9 June 1934

Woods' former residence in Lawrence is under the care of Historic Places Trust, with a plaque on the wall

New Zealand's national anthems (Ministry for Culture and Heritage)

Wikipedia: National anthems of New Zealand

David Farrier-fronted documentary traces the history of our national anthem (2011)